Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698941368236.pdf (Zambia)
COVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EARLY EDUCATION MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT ON THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY Statement bY Hon.

Dr. Michael L. Kaingu PhD., MP Minister Ministry ofEducation, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education 9sruly 2015 Mr. SDeaker I wish to thank you for this opportunity to present my Ministe al Statement on the recent events at the Copperbelt University, and the actions that my Ministryhas taken to deal with these issues.
Mr. Speaker On 22nd june 2015, the Copperbelt universiw Academic Union wrote a letter to m€, as Minister ofEducatlon, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, in which they informed me of a number of in respect ofthe opemtions ofthe Copperbelt University issu€s On the morning of the 24th lune 2015, barely a few hours after they the letter to my Ministry the Copperbelt University d€livered Academic Union made a public statement on the cont€nts of their letter to the Minister, and further demanded that their concerns b€ addressed with immediate effect st"t*,"nttu llrn.
o.. vi.tt""l L vojngu PhD- MP _ Minister Pagez MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO PAR The Copperbelt University Academic Union further demanded that the Vice Chancellor and the entire management of Copperbelt Universitybe removed from their positions.

The Academic Staff, members of the Copperbelt University Academic Union, also immediately withdrew their services and resolved not to teach until their demands were met.
The Copperbelt University Academic Union and its Membe$ have, since 24d June 2015, withheld their services, and no teaching has been taking place atthe Copperbelt University since then The Ministry instructed the Council ofthe Copperbelt University to study the concerns of the Copperbelt University Academic Union, and to prepare their advice to the Minister.

In accordance with the Hisher Education Act No.


4 of 2013, the Council of a Public University is responsible for the governance, control and administration of the hisher education institution Stat€ment by Hon.

Dr, Michael L. kingu PhD., M P _ Minister PaCe 3 The Council of the Copperbell lJniversity met on 1r luly 2015.
Among the matters before the Council Meeting was the resolution of the concerns expressed by the Copperbelt University Academic Union, and the need to restore the normal academic and administrative life of the University.
Despite many attempts by the Council, and specific interventions by the Chairman of the Council, to persuade the Copperbelt University Academic Union to resume classes, to remove their threats, and to engage in dialogue, the Copperbelt University Academic Union refirsed to engage in dialogue.
The Council of the University informed the Copperbelt University Academic Union that the Council was readyand willing to discuss all their concerns, but that this could only be done under an atmosphere of constructive dialogue and not through threats and illegal strikes.

The Copperbelt University Academic Union refused any form ofdialogue unless their demands were met.

Statehent by Hon.
Statehent by Hon.

Dr. Michael L Xaingu PhD., MP_ Minister MINISTERIAL STATSMENTTO PAR The Senate of the Copperbelt University met on Thursday, 2nd July 2015, and proposed that the Chancellor holds a meeting with the Copperbelt University Academic Union, to seek their return to work and to engage in dialogue.

The Copperbelt University Academic Ljnion refused to meet with lhe Chancellor of the universiEy.
ln all this, students at the University are not being provided with the education for which they have been enrolled, and for which parents, guardians, and sponsors have paid This situation is unacceptable, and could not b€ allowed to continue.

It is unfortunate that the Copperbelt University Academic Union spurned all requests and opportunities for dialogue, and continued with their illegal strike.
My Ministry is determined to ensure that the academic and administrative functions of the Copperbelt University are restored, so that the University can deliver on its mandate to provide qualified human resources for the development of our country This mandate could not be delivered in a situation where academic staffwithdrew their services and spurned all efforts at dialogue.

SutementbyHon Dr Michr"lL KairS!


PhD MP_ Mrnrrter IAMENTON THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY Mr. SDeaker In accordance with the powers of the Minister, as provided under Part III, section 13 ofthe Higher Education Act No.

4 of 2013, I have taken the following actions.

Ia) The Copperbelt University has been closed, indefinitely, with immediate effect.
All studenG have been given twentY-four hours to vacate the premises, with effect from 13:00hrs on wednesda, Bth July 2015. tb) The School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies at the Copperbelt University have not been affected by this closure, I wish to commend the academic and administrative staff of these tlvo Schools for their dedication to duty, and for nottaking part in the illegal strike.

Ic) The Graduation Ceremony to be held on 23d and 24rh ruly 2015 will be held as scheduled.
State*n*v tlon.

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Kaingu PhD, MP Minister Page6 MINIsTsRIALSTATEMSNT r0 PARLIAM.

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!- (dl The Council of the Copperbelt University has been instructed to work lowards resolving the issues which have conslrained normal operations of the University, and to ensure that the acaalemic life ofthe University is restor€d with minimum delay' [e) I have instructed the Council of the Copperbelt University to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the recent unfortunate events at the Copperbelt University are not repeated in the future.
I wish to express our sincele regret to Parents, Guardians, and SDonsors of Students at the Copperbelt University for this break in the academic programme.

This action has notbeen taken lighdy The Chancellor, the Council, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, have all worked diliSently to seek restoration of the academic life of the University, while addressing the problems expressed by the Copperbelt University Academic Union.
Unfortunately, the Copperbelt University Academic Union has been extremely intransigent and has refused to engage in any form ofdialogue.

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ui.n*l L Kai.suPhD, MP_Minister PaEeT To the students, I wish to assure you that we shall seek to make this closure as short as possible l urge all of you to keep calm, and to allowthe Council ofthe University to work towards the resolution of the issues which have disruptedyour academic programmes To the academic and administrative staff of the Copperbelt University, we continue to encourage a spirit of dialogue and discussion.
This should be a normal feature of an academic institution, in contrast to illegal withdrawal of selwices, and the holding of students as hostages.

We need to move forward, and to seek solutions to our many problems in a spirit ofcooperation.

Mr. Speaker As Minister responsible for Higher Education, I am aware that there are many problems in our HiSher Education System.

Many of these problems have rolled over from past years, and may not be solv€d within a short period.
However, it is important that all players in the sub-sector work together towards finding solutions to these problems.

These problems can be categorized broadlyas follows: Statement by Hon.
Dr. Michael L- veingu PhD MP _ MiniQr MIIVISTERIALSTATEME [a) Financial obligations in the form of accrued statutory obligations, and staff benefits; (bJ Constraints on available infrastructure for teaching leaming and student accommodation facilities, Eiven increaslng numbers of school_leavers seeking University education; [cJ Insufficient numbers of staffin the academic faculties; (dl Insufficient staff at the level of Professor, to provicte guidance to younger staff, particularly in research; (el Inadequate learner support systems, such as access to the Internet for leaming and research; The need for a sustainable financing mechanism for Higher (F) Education.
These problems are not peculiar to the Higher Education System in Zambia.

Many developing countries in Africa and beyond are having to deal with these issues.

It is in all our interests that we work together, despite the magnitude and breadth of these problems' These problems will not be dealt with through threats, illegal work stoppages, northe holding ofstudent as hostages for the demands of certain sections ofthe University community Statenent bv Hon.
Dr. Michael L, Kaingu PhD, MP _ Miniibr n'N'SIERIALsTATgME Mr. Speaker The Governm€nt has already begun to deal with these issues' However, itwould be naive to anticipate solutions to these problems within a period of one financial year' It is, however, feasible and necessary that all concemed parties work together to resolve these issues, The Universities should be the source of new thinking and problem solvinS.
Unfortunatel, the events at the Copperbelt University have not provided good evidence of abiliry towards problem solving Threats and intimidation seem to have replaced rational thinking and dialogue.
Mr. Speaker It is our belief, however, that the recent events at the Copperbelt University do not represent the true character of our Higher Education System, because we know that the system, despite the difficulties, still possesses the ability and resolve to play their part in the development process for our country' However, this ability to contribute should not be sacrificed at the alter ofproblems' sbremenr b, Hon.
Dr. M(ha.l L vuingu PhD MP Mrnisret Mr. Speaker The temporary closure of the Copperbelt University is regretted.

I have instructed the Council ofthe University to resolve the issues in time, so that we can restore teachin& learning the shortest possibl€ and research at this University.
The Copperbelt University should come out of this crisis with renewed vigour and resolve to use dialogue, discussion, innovation, and all avenues of communication, to ensure that this instittltion Srows into a reputable l€arning and research centre.

Mr. Speaker I thankyou for this opportunityto make this Ministerial Statement.

Statementby t{on.

Dr. Michael L. Kaingu PhD, MP_ Minister Page:I1